Resilient wheel.



L. FQ DELANEY. RBSILIENT WHEEL. APPLIOATVION FILED JUNE 2o, 1910.

' Patented Nov.' 2.9, 1910.l

IN1/EN T012. Muffin/c5 ,Lr @fz/wey 1% Mam ATTORNEY.

rHE nomas P: oA, wAsmNoraN. D. cy

LAWRENCE F. DELANEY, 0F WATERTOWN, NEW YORK.

RESILIENT WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented NOV. 29, 1910.

y Application filed June 20, 1910. Serial No. 567,787.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, LAWRENCE F. Dn- LANEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at lvVatertown, in the county of Jefferson and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Resilient lVheels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in resilient wheels, designed for use in connection with rautomobiles and other vehicles.

The object of the invention is to provide a novel, simple, strong and serviceable wheel of the class, in which a series of springs are employed for supporting t-he weight of the vehicle, and also for rendering the wheel resilient, without the use of the common pneumatic tires.

A. further object is to provide a wheel upon which solid tires of any suitable kind may be employed.

The invention consists of a wheel having a frame comprising two similar parts constructed and arranged in a manner to obviate the use of spokes, separate rims, and the usual felly.

The invention further consists of a floating hub or box, which is disposed concentrically within the frame, the frame and hub being operatively connected by a series of radially arranged springs, all inclosed within the frame.

The invention further consists of novel means for securing the wheel to the axle of the vehicle, and for excluding dust from the interior of the wheel. And the invention further consists of means for preventing the heating of the solid rubber or other tires.

Other features and parts of the invention will be understood from the detail description which follows, and by reference to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a face-view of the wheel, with portions broken away, to show the interior construction and arrangement. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the wheel taken on line 2--2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective View of the box and a portion of the axle.

In the drawing, 2 represents the axle of a vehicle, which is preferably of the stationary type. The frame or main portion. of my im'- proved wheel consists of two concentric'sections 3 and 4, representing respectively the front and rear sides of the wheel, and these sections are secured together, to form onev part, by a series of bolts 5. The wheel, when mounted upon the axle of the vehicle, is disposed between two iiange disks 6 and 7, both of which are perforated centrally for applying to the axle 2. The Hange-disk 6 has a hub 8, which is perforated diametrically to receive a bolt or pin 9, by means of which the disk is rigidly secured to the axle. 'Ihe disk 7 is mounted upon the axle 2 at the opposite or front side of the wheel, near the end of the axle, and is held in place by a pair of nuts l0 and 11, by means of which the wheel and the guard 7 are securely locked and held in operative position on the axle. Under this latter arrangement the disk 7 is free to turn on the axle.

The sections of the wheel, as 3 and 4, are preferably made of steel or like strong sheet metal, but they may also be made of malleable castings and serve their purposes equally well. In forming each of the sections 3 and 4 out of sheet metal, which is preferred, these parts are first formed-up by means of suitable dies, for the purpose of making the respective sections accurate and true, as well as, for cheapening the construction of the wheel. A more particular description of the metallic sections 3 and 4 follows: The central portion of section 3 of the frame is drawn or pressed, in a manner to form an integral tubular hub 12, which faces the flange 7. The free end of the hub is then upset and drawn into the opening, to provide an annular flange 18, which is formed with an annular groove or concavity 14, which faces the flange 7 and in which may be disposed a suitable packing 15, which bears directly against the inner face of flange 7. rIhe packing 15 serves to present a removable and renewable bearing surface between flange 13 of the hub 12 and the disk or guard 7 and also serves to close the joint between the said parts, for preventing the entrance of dust or dirt. The opening in the hub 12 or the flange 13) is considerably larger than the diameter of the axle 2, and is not. intended to touch or bear upon the axle, the only bearing provided for section 3 of the frame being at the point where the packing 15 contacts with the guard 7. Section 3, at its peripheral edge, is formed into an integral clencher-rim or hook 16, which is annular, and is intended to receive and grip one side or edge of a solid rubber or other tire, as 17. Section 3 intermediate its hiibf v13` .and .its rim 16,-.vcomprises a-web of sheet or other metal, which is provided-at regular intervals -v-withV a. series ,of-.,concavoconvex ribs 1S, which bulge outwardly on the face side of the wheel, and these ribs extend radially from the base of the hub 12-to 1 ;the,ii iner edge ofitheriin .16, foriforiningiinwardly facing grooves ortroughs 19, the .,op-

posite ends of which open respectively into the cavities formed by the hub 12 and the' rimf116. r[he metal between the ribsl 18 is lperforat.ed,as at 20, to receive the bolts 5 i which 4securethesections 3 and 4 together.

f The section 4-offthe frame preferably consists of a circular; metallicl .partjsimilar lto f section 3,l and has a large central hub 21,

i. which projectsinwardly toward ltliepflange 6. f'Tlie outer peripheral `edge of section 4 is formed'into alike overhanging 1clencherrim 16, which receives and grips the oppo- -site side or, edgev of'thetire 17. jTheportion of section 4, lying between vthehub'21 Vand rim 16 is-providedwith a number ofop- .positely arranged concavo-convex, ribs" 1S for forming senil-tubular grooves 19 which `are-intended when the sections are bolted together, to coperatewith the grooves 19 for forming tubular spring sockets'22. The groovesl'9falso open into the Ariin'r16, as vwell as,1into',the interior of'theihub' 2l. ,*Section 4 is provid'edbetweenthe ribs 18, with perforations 20,which coincide with the like y perforation-'in -section 3, for receiving the bolts 5. ,The arrangement of the sectiony 4 is fsuch that-when mounted upon the axle no part oflthe said section-.touches or b'ears against :the axle 2.

`24 represents acylindrical hubv or floating-box which isbored outlengthwise to reisdisposed concentrically in the hollow cenceive and turn-upon ythe axle 2. /The box 24 ter of thegwheel-sections 3, and 4, and is connected with Athe' frame .of the wheel, by. a

:series of cushion springs 25, one of whichis disposed in Veach ofthe radial tubularsockets 22. *The inner endsof fthe springs'r25 are connected to, the boxf'24 byineans'of al series of st-udsy26, and a nut 27. Thestuds'26 are arranged radially `and equally spaced around *the cylinder and. may be 'attached thereto in .any suitable manner or they maybe" formed Y integrally with lthe box. The outer ends of the springs 25 extend part wayin the length of the sockets .22, and are adjustably secured therein, by means of bolts28, which. pass through perforated lugs 29, andthe adjustment ofithe springs is accomplished by nuts 30. The lugs 29 are preferably` formed by perforating each, lrib'y 13` of section; L4,A and I,grooye '19.

open1ng'31 is provided in each ofthe `ribs 18 L for permitting .access totheriuts 30-l and also then' forcing the metalinwardlyacross ,the Under 'K thisA arrangement an `for admitting cold air to the -sockets 22,

from-whichthe airinaypass into the cavity of a series of perforated lu `concentrically upon the axle.

-of the rim'beneath -the tire 17, for prevent ing-V the tire from becoming overheated. 33,333, represent a series of comparatively short andlight coil-springs, which extend A.between the fioating box 24 and parts 3 and 4 of the frame. The inner ends of these .springsalternately connect with the front and rear end ofthe floating box 24, by means Us 34, which are formed on thehub, and which are preferably. staggered as compared with the studs 26. The outer ends of the guy-springs 33 arealternately connected to the sections 3 and 4 by means of lugs 35. The guy-springs 133 perform several important functions: 'They coperate with the cushion springs for holding the box concentric to the frame of `the wheel; they bear a portion of the weight and load of the vehicle, and they also share, to a considerable extent, the strain, and ab- ,sorbthe shocks, incident to vibrations. and

expansion and contraction, and owing alsoA to their disposition and arrangement in the wheel, are relied upon to impart the greater partof ,thevresiliency to the wheel. Then these rsprings arefproperly made and adjusted, they will readily andsafely bear the greater share ofthe weight of the vehicle .and its load, andmunder normal conditions they will hold the frame of the wheel truly Qconcentrie t0 the axle 2 and the box 24. VVhen the vehicle is in operation and traveling over`l a rough or uneven road-way, the floating box or hub 24 will always remain concentric tothe Aaxle 2, while the frame of the wheel will be subjected to more or less movement fvertically relatively to the box andthe iianges 6 and 7, which are also fixed Under this arrangement, owing to the yflexible connections between the floating box and the frame of the wheel (sections 3 and 4) ,.the free ends of hubs ,12 and 21 will slide upon `the inner -faces ofthe flanges 6 and 7. The free end of hub 21 is` preferably iittedwith a ball- .bearing attachment comprising a casing 36 and. balls 37, which may be applied to the hub in, any suitable manner, for allowing the balls only to have a bearing against the inner face of flange 6. By the provision of the b'all-bearingsrfor the hub 21, yand thepacking 15 for the hub 12, practically all friction between the said .hubs` pressure exerted by thenuts 10.and 11 against the flange 7 is strong enough the saidgflangeinay ,be rotated upon thel axle by the frietional contact with the packing 15. The diameter of and the iianges 6 and e 7,-isfeliininated. If the the hubs 12 and 2l and the arrangement-of the parallel ianges 6 and 7 are such that the wheel will be held truly at right angles to the axle at all times.

The hub 2l is intended for use in connecting any suitable form of device for driving the rear Wheels. automobiles or bicycles are rarely driven by the power, and the hubs 21 of these wheels may be made shorter than the rear wheels, as indicated by line xin Fio. 2. The hubs Q1 of the rear wheels may also be employed in connection with the usual friction brake. As neither the driving mechanism nor the braking parts referred to ferm any part of the present invention, they have not been shown in the drawing.

In case the wheel drops into a ditch or strikes an abrupt obstruction in the roadway,`

if the jolt is heavy enough to overcome the cushion of the springs 25 and 33, the wheel may be suddenly shifted transversely to the axle a sufficient distance to cause the flange 13 or the inner surface of the hub 2l to strike the axle, but no damage will result, and only a slight jar willv be felt. The springs will instantly restore the wheel to its normal rel ation,-substantially concentric to the axle and box.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A vehicle wheel, comprising front and rear concentric frame sections, joined together to form one part, oppositely facing tubular hubs formed on said sections and are ranged concentric to each other, the bore of said hubs being of greater diameter than the axle of the vehicle, a floating bearing box mounted on the axle within and normally free from contact with said sections, a series of cushion springs for conn-ecting the float ing-box to one of said sections, the said springs disposed radially around said floating-box and vinclosed between said sections, and a series of guy-springs connecting the opposite ends of said floating-box with the corresponding sections of the frame, said guy-springs and said cushion springs adapt! ed to cooperate for holding the said frame normally concentric to the floating bearing box and the axle.

2. The combination with the axle of a vehicle, and a resilient wheel, comprising a frame arranged in two concentric sections having oppositely facing hollow hubs, of a pair of circular `iiange-guards mounted on the axle, at opposite sides of said frame and concentric to said hubs, said guards having a greater diameter than said hubs and adapted to hold said frame at right angles to the axle, an anti-friction means interposed between the free ends of each hub and the adjacent guard, a bearing-box ournaled on the axle between said guards, and re- The front wheels of.

silient means comprising a series of radially arranged cushion springs and a. series of guysprings for connecting said frame to said bearing-box.

3. A resilient wheel, comprising front and rear fra-me sections held together by a series of bolts, the peripheral edge of each section formed into an annular hook-rim adapted to grip and hold a solid tire when the sections are bolted together, each section having a like number of coinciding radial concavo-convex ribs Afor forming tubular spring sockets, the said sockets opening into the cavity of the rims for admitting air to cool the tire, the central portion of each section provided with a tubular hub arranged to face away from the adjacent section, the interior of the said hubs connecting with each of said spring sockets, a vehicle axle, a cylindrical bearing box ournaled on said axle, the said box disposed opposite the inner ends of said spring sockets, the opposite ends of said box spaced inwardly from the free ends of said hubs, the said box being normally free from contact with either of said sections, a series of cushion springs disposed in said tubular sockets, the inner ends of said springs connected to the said box, the outer ends of said springs connected to lugs disposed in the said sockets between the said hubs and the said rims, and means connected with the outer ends of said springs for in creasing or decreasing the tension of the springs.

Il. The combination with a wheel, co1nprising two circular sections of equal diameter detachably joined as one part, and an independent bearing box disposed concentrically in said frame and spaced from the frame, the abutting faces of said sections provided with coinciding grooves for forming a series of radial tubular spring sockets, the portions of said sections lying between said sockets having coinciding perforations to receive bolts for securing said sections together, an integral lug disposed in each of said sockets, said lugs formed by perforating the side of one section in the line of and between the ends of said grooves, the said perforations adapted to admit cold air into said sockets for cooling the rim and tire of the wheel, a series of cushion springs connecting the floating-box with the lugs in said sockets, said springs adapted for normally holding said frame concentric to said floating-box, and for rendering the wheel resilient, and a pair of iange-disks carried by the axle of the vehicle adapted for holding said fra-ine at right angles to the axle and for providing frictional bearings for the corresponding sections of the frame.

5. In a resilient vehicle wheel, the combination with a frame comprising two like concentric sections, arranged at their peripheral edges for gripping and holding a l x less diameter1 @than i tions .being E hollow solid-` tire,theV central portions of said1secandA arrangedl with oppositely facinglhubs,.of a box journaled on the axle of the vehicle and disposed in tlie hollowv center.L of the frame, said box being of said hollow center and normally. spaced. from the frame and also fioni'tlieends of said hubs, a series of spring `socketsi arranged between said sections, `the inner ends of said, sockets facing the. said kbox, a series of spiings extending part Way into saidsookets for connecting said frame .,to said box, aA series of springs disposed in g thefhollow. center of the trame and connecting;the opposite ends of said box to the corv-'responlding hubs of the frame, and apair of lange-guards carried by the. axle -for holding the wheelin place.

ofE a wheel frame comprising two concentric Y sections of .equal-diameter operatively dis- -tionsliaviiig a tubular center y axle andsaid box, and a series of posedbetweensaid guards, each of said se`cterminating ini an .i outwardly .projecting liubadapted to frictionally engage the `adjacent Hangeguard,4 an independent bearing-box `journaled. on the axle between said guards, a seriesof radial tubular sockets arranged between said sections and. opening into the hollow center of said frame, a coil-spring disposed in each socketV for connecting Said bearing-box with saidframe, means or adjnsting tlie'tension of said springs .for normallyholding said frame concentric to the guy-springs for `connecting the opposite ends oit said bearing-box to the corresponding sections of the frame.

l In testimony whereof I affix my signature DELANE Y.

Vin presence of two witnesses.

y LAWRENCE F. /Vitnesses:

WVM. J. COYLE, C. L. DELANEY. 

